Understanding διακόσιοι (diakósioi) Strong’s G1250: The Numerical Value that Illustrates God’s Abundant Provision

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-KOH-see-oy

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1250: διακόσιοι (diakósioi) is the Greek cardinal number for “two hundred.” In biblical texts, it frequently appears when describing quantities that represent abundance, provision, or significant measurements. This number often occurs in contexts where God’s provision is emphasized or where precise details are given to authenticate historical accounts.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Cardinal number adjective
• Origin: Compound of δίς (dis, “twice”) and ἑκατόν (hekatón, “hundred”)
• Language origin: Classical Greek
• Primary usage: Historical narratives, apocalyptic literature
• Gender-specific forms available for agreement with modified nouns

διακόσιοι Morphology:

• διακόσιοι (masculine nominative plural) – two hundred
• διακοσίων (masculine/neuter genitive plural) – of two hundred
• διακοσίοις (masculine/neuter dative plural) – to/with two hundred
• διακοσίους (masculine accusative plural) – two hundred (as direct object)
• διακόσιαι (feminine nominative plural) – two hundred
• διακοσίων (feminine genitive plural) – of two hundred
• διακοσίαις (feminine dative plural) – to/with two hundred
• διακοσίας (feminine accusative plural) – two hundred (as direct object)
• διακόσια (neuter nominative/accusative plural) – two hundred

Origin & History

The Greek numeral διακόσιοι appears in classical Greek literature as early as Homer and Herodotus, where it was used as a straightforward cardinal number indicating a specific quantity. In Herodotus’ Histories, he frequently employs διακόσιοι when documenting military forces, distances, and timeframes, establishing its use in precise historical accounting.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διακόσιοι appears regularly in contexts of counting, measurement, and inventories. For example, in 1 Kings (3 Kingdoms in LXX) 10:16, it describes Solomon’s two hundred large shields of beaten gold. The number also appears in genealogical records, temple measurements, and military accounts, emphasizing both literal precision and the importance of detailed record-keeping in Hebraic tradition.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A cardinal number representing exactly 200 units
• A quantity suggesting abundance or significant provision
• A specific measurement used to authenticate historical accounts
• A number sometimes used with symbolic significance in apocalyptic literature

διακόσιοι Translation Options:

• “Two hundred” – The most direct and literal translation, appropriate in contexts of straightforward counting (Mark 6:37)
• “A couple hundred” – A slightly less precise rendering that might be suitable in contexts where the exact number is less important than the sense of magnitude
• “Two centuries” – When referring to a time period of two hundred years, though this usage is not found in biblical texts
• “Multiple hundreds” – In some contexts where the emphasis is on magnitude rather than precision

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διακόσιοι appears in several significant contexts. Its first appearance is in Mark 6:37, where the disciples estimate that feeding the multitude would cost “two hundred denarii” – approximately eight months of a laborer’s wages. This usage highlights the perceived impossibility of the task before Yeshua’s miraculous provision.

The number διακόσιοι also appears prominently in John’s Gospel and in the Book of Revelation. In John 6:7, Philip makes the same calculation regarding the feeding of the five thousand. In apocalyptic literature, Revelation 11:3 and 12:6 mention “one thousand two hundred sixty days” (a period containing διακόσιοι), which many scholars interpret as the duration of the tribulation period.

• “And they said to Him, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred [διακοσίων] denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?'” Mark 6:37
• “Philip answered Him, ‘Two hundred [διακοσίων] denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.'” John 6:7
• “When they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty [διακοσίους] stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.” John 6:19
• “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for one thousand two hundred [διακοσίας] and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:3
• “Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred [διακοσίας] and sixty days.” Revelation 12:6
• “The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred [δισμυριάδες] million; I heard the number of them.” Revelation 9:16
• “It is two hundred [διακοσίων] cubits away, dragging the net full of fish.” John 21:8

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, two hundred denarii represented a substantial sum – approximately eight months’ wages for a common laborer. When the disciples mention this amount in Mark 6:37, they are emphasizing the impossibility of the situation from a human perspective. This cultural context helps us understand the magnitude of Yeshua’s subsequent miracle of feeding the five thousand – it wasn’t just impressive; it was economically extraordinary.

The use of precise numbers like διακόσιοι in ancient texts also served as a marker of historical authenticity. Unlike mythological tales that might use symbolic or rounded numbers, the Gospel accounts often include these specific details to emphasize their basis in actual events. For example, in John 21:8, the precise measurement of the distance from shore (two hundred cubits) serves as an eyewitness detail that lends credibility to the account of the resurrection appearance of Yeshua.

Theological Significance

The appearances of διακόσιοι in Scripture often highlight the contrast between human limitation and divine abundance. In the feeding narratives, the disciples calculate that two hundred denarii would be insufficient to feed the crowd – a reasonable human assessment. Yet Yeshua demonstrates that in His kingdom economy, scarcity is transformed into abundance. This illustrates an important theological principle: what is impossible with man is possible with God (Mark 10:27).

In Revelation, the precise numbering of days (including διακόσιοι as part of the one thousand two hundred sixty) emphasizes God’s sovereign control over human history. These aren’t arbitrary timeframes but precisely measured periods that fulfill divine purposes. This communicates that even in times of tribulation and apparent chaos, יהוה (Yahweh) remains the Master of time and circumstances. Nothing in human history – neither its duration nor its events – escapes His providential oversight and perfect timing.

Personal Application

When we encounter διακόσιοι in the feeding narratives, we’re invited to examine our own approach to seemingly impossible situations. Do we, like the disciples, quickly calculate the inadequacy of our resources? Or do we remember that we serve a God who specializes in multiplying what we place in His hands? The next time you face a challenge that seems beyond your resources – whether financial, emotional, or spiritual – remember the lesson of the two hundred denarii that proved unnecessary when placed alongside Yeshua’s blessing.

Consider also what it means that God measures our days with precision. The repeated use of specific timeframes in Scripture reminds us that our lives are not random or meaningless, but carefully measured and purposeful. Each day is a gift, counted and known by our Creator. As the psalmist wrote, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Living with this awareness transforms our perspective on time and helps us steward it as the precious resource it truly is.

Related Words

• τριακόσιοι (triakósioi) – three hundred; like διακόσιοι, this number appears in contexts of significant provision, such as the value of perfume in John 12:5. See G5144
• ἑκατόν (hekaton) – one hundred; a component of διακόσιοι and frequently used in parables about multiplication and return, as in the parable of the sower. See G1540
• δισχίλιοι (dischilioi) – two thousand; shares the prefix δίς with διακόσιοι and appears in Mark 5:13 regarding the number of swine who rushed into the sea. See G1367
• μυριάς (myrias) – ten thousand; used with διακόσιοι in calculations of large numbers in Revelation. See G3461
• δίς (dis) – twice; the prefix of διακόσιοι, emphasizing the doubling of one hundred. See G1364

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the disciples’ estimate of two hundred denarii in Mark 6:37 would be roughly equivalent to $20,000-$30,000 in today’s currency when considering purchasing power for food? This helps us grasp just how overwhelming the challenge of feeding the multitude appeared to them before Yeshua’s miraculous intervention.
• Did you know that ancient Greek numerals were typically written using letters of the alphabet rather than separate numeral symbols? The number 200 would have been written as σʹ (sigma with a mark), using the acrophonic numeral system derived from the initial letters of number names. This system was eventually replaced by the alphabetic numerals where διακόσιοι would be represented by the letter sigma (σ=200).
• Did you know that in modern Greek, διακόσιοι remains virtually unchanged in form and meaning after more than two millennia of language evolution? This remarkable consistency demonstrates the stability of number words across time and helps us confidently understand numerical references in ancient texts.

Remember This

διακόσιοι reminds us that even when our human calculations indicate insufficiency, in the Master’s hands our limited resources can become miraculous provision.